For those of us who prefer a Saturday morning lie-in the early Premier League kick-off between Newcastle and Everton might be too early, but there are still five traditional 3pm games which promise fireworks.
Arsenal v West Brom
The Baggies pulled off one of the shocks of the season last year to inflict a 3-2 defeat on the Gunners at the Emirates and a repeat 2-3 scoreline can be backed at 50/1.
But before punters get too carried away it must be pointed out that win was West Brom’s first at Arsenal since 1983 when Billy Joel was topping the UK charts with ‘Uptown Girl’.
West Brom have problems up front for this one and will come up against an Arsenal side still buzzing from last weekend’s demolition job at Chelsea.
Last season: Arsenal 2-3 West Brom
Prediction: In-form Robin van Persie to score two or more @ 10/3
Aston Villa v Norwich
A couple of seasons ago these two sides were separated by a couple of divisions but now they are just a point apart in the Premier League – with the Canaries a place better off in eighth spot.
It’s debatable whether or not the men from East Anglia will be in the top half when the season ends but they have already enjoyed wins over Sunderland and Bolton and held Liverpool at Anfield.
Factor in creditable performances in losing causes against Chelsea and Manchester United and it is easy to make a case for Paul Lambert’s men.
However, Villa have been hard to beat this season and the most the Canaries can surely hope for is to plunder a point.
Last season: N/A
Prediction: A 2-2 draw pays out at a tasty 14/1
Blackburn v Chelsea
Poor old Steve Kean can’t seem to shake off the boo boys this season thanks to a record of played 10, won one, drawn three and lost 6.
Amazingly that one victory came against Arsenal – albeit a shambolic one – and the pressure will not be easing this weekend when Chelsea come to town.
Back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the Blues is simply unheard of since the Roman Abramovich takeover of 2003 but that is the record they take to Ewood Park courtesy of London derby defeats at the hands of QPR and Arsenal.
But they are too good a side to not bounce back against a Rovers outfit who are currently even money to be playing in the Championship in 2012/13 – although a clean sheet might be hard to come by in Lancashire.
Last season: Blackburn 1-2 Chelsea
Prediction: Chelsea to take it 3-1 @ 10/1
Liverpool v Swansea
The Reds may be sitting in sixth spot in the table after 10 games but it has been a slow-burning start to the season for Kenny Dalglish’s men whose unbeaten home record masks three draws from their five games in front of the Kop.
Norwich and Sunderland are two of the clubs to have taken a point home with them which underlines how hard Liverpool sometimes find it to meet expectation levels.
In contrast, away wins at Arsenal, Everton and West Brom have kept them in with a shout of the top four.
This weekend represents a great chance to take three more points against the worst travellers in the Premier League so far this season, with promoted Swansea shipping 14 goals in five games on the road to date.
Last season: N/A
Prediction: Liverpool to win 3-0 @ 7/1
Man Utd v Sunderland
History tells us Steve Bruce has never beaten his old boss in 17 attempts since becoming a manager and that statistic is underlined by the fact the former Red Devils star has used more clubs than Tiger Woods in attempting to pull the feat off.
It would be easy to simply put this one down as a banker home win – for good reason as Sunderland have not won at Old Trafford since 1968 – hence odds of 1/4 about a United victory.
United also know any slip-up will play into current league leaders Manchester City’s hands so there are enough factors at play to back up the form book as Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 25 years at the helm.
Last season: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Prediction: United to win 4-1 @ 12/1
Suggested treble: Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool
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